Reigning Sound, the Memphis-born rock group led by Greg Cartwright, are disbanding after 20 years. Cartwright announced the news today (June 8) on social media, noting that they are calling off their upcoming summer European tour. “We are also formally announcing the end of the group,” Cartwright wrote in a statement. “COVID has proven to be a long-lasting concern and more difficult to navigate than anyone could have anticipated. Rather than compromise ourselves or our fans, I have decided this is the right time to dissolve the band.” Find Cartwright’s full statement below.

Following his time as a member of Compulsive Gamblers and Oblivians, Cartwright formed Reigning Sound in Memphis in the early 2000s. The original lineup included Cartwright, Jeremy Scott, Greg Roberson, and Alex Greene. The group issued their debut LP Break Up… Break Down in 2001, followed by a handful of full-lengths and live albums between then and 2014. Their studio releases included Time Bomb High School, Too Much Guitar, Love and Curses, Abdication… for Your Love, and Shattered.

Last year, Reigning Sound returned after seven years to issue A Little More Time With Reigning Sound. The album reunited Cartwright with his original bandmates, who hadn’t played together since 2005’s Home for Orphans. A Little More Time also featured drummer and percussionist Graham Winchester, as well as contributions from vocalist Coco Hames, pedal steel guitarist John Whittemore, cellist Elen Wroten, and violinist Krista Wroten. 

The band’s upcoming tour dates were scheduled in support of their newly-released live album Memphis in June. Reigning Sound confirmed that the group’s final show will be a hometown gig in Memphis on Friday (June 10) at the Shell.

Due to COVID-19 and several other logistical hurdles, we are announcing the cancellation of Reigning Sound’s upcoming July European tour.

We are also formally announcing the end of the group. It was my intention with A Little More Time to come full circle, reunite the original lineup of the band, and finish where we started. I thought we could support the album with some touring and go out on a high note, but COVID has proven to be a long-lasting concern and more difficult to navigate than anyone could have anticipated. Rather than compromise ourselves or our fans, I have decided this is the right time to dissolve the band.

We appreciate the fans who kept us inspired and motivated to make music for the last twenty years. Thanks for your support. Be safe and be kind.

—Greg Cartwright, Reigning Sound